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LIONS SIGHT RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The Eberlin Clinical Research Facility

The primary mission of all university Medical Schools is to train medical doctors. At most major universities there is a second and very important mission; specifically, conducting medical research related to the detection, treatment, and prevention of medical problems. Within the ‘medical research’ realm, there are relevant subdivisions addressing basic, applied, and clinical research.

“Clinical” research is related to translating basic research findings into medical related applications, including developing procedures and medications. At UT Health Science Center at San Antonio the Department of Ophthalmology is noted for both its teaching and research capabilities. However, prior to 2009, the medical research being carried out by both the research and medical staff emphasized basic research that is utilized by specialists located elsewhere who focus on clinical research. The Department wanted to expand their research capabilities and asked the Lions Sight Research Foundation (LSRF) to assist.

In cooperation with the Eberlin family, a bequest left to the LSRF by Lion Gene Eberlin – a Founder, past Chairman, and Director Emeritus of the Lion Sight Research Foundation – was used to equip the new clinical research facility in 2009. The Eberlin Clinical Research and Imaging Facility was established on the UTHSC/SA campus in the Ophthalmology Department. In 2013, the Eberlin Center was relocated to the UT Health Texas Diabetes Institute on the West Side of San Antonio where a focus on the effects on vision of those diagnosed with Diabetes and, especially, those needing evaluation and treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy has been greatly increased.  This particular area’s population is of lower income and is among the most greatly impacted by Diabetes in the U.S. The service provided, here, by UT Health is facilitated by a sliding scale medical insurance program called “Care Link” which many patients are qualified to receive.